Christie withdraws judicial nominee amid BridgeGate scandal

Gov. Chris Christie has notified the state Senate that he is withdrawing the nomination of his acting attorney general to the Superior Court.

The pulling of the nomination late Friday is another wound to an administration facing its most difficult test so far.

The Republican governor hoped to send acting Attorney General John Hoffman to the bench and clear a spot for his chief of staff, Kevin O'Dowd, to become attorney general. Christie's office said the decision was made to ensure continuity in the attorney general's office.

But Democrats have delayed O'Dowd's confirmation hearing indefinitely because of the possibly politically orchestrated closing of approach lanes to the George Washington Bridge that caused traffic chaos in Fort Lee.

O'Dowd had supervised the aide who was fired for her involvement.

Three other key associates of the governor are also now gone as a result of the bridge scandal.